Organ Worship Basics & Chords

The organ is a lot different from the piano, although the concept of progressions and how chord changes work generally remain the same.

Basically, a “2-5-1″ progression on the piano is still a “2-5-1″ progression on the organ. For example, in the key of C major, the progression would still consist of some kind of D chord (almost always minor) going to a G chord, finally ending at a C chord. While this doesn’t change on the organ, how you play each particular chord will differ from the piano.

I would argue that if you understand the way music works… how scales create chords >>> chords create progressions >>> progressions create songs — then you already have a head-start when it comes to picking up a new instrument (…even guitar).

Don’t get me wrong… there are some differences:

One major difference between the piano/keyboard and organ is what I call the “third element.” You’re now managing a foot pedal along with both your left and right hands.

Right off the bat, it requires more coordination. Then… there’s the “don’t lift your fingers” rule and the “slide” technique to make your chords sound smooth. Of course, you have to know how to operate the organ (the drawbars, settings, switches, percussions, etc.).

With all of this aside, what it all amounts to is the foot and left hand, in my opinion.

In gospel music, most of us are familiar with playing chords on the right hand. If you play with a band, then you’re probably already accustomed to splitting up your chords into two hands with both your left and right hands constantly at work.

If you’re solo, then you’ve probably grown to play bass patterns (or power chords) on your left with full chords on your right.

The organ changes all of this because it gives you a “bass player” (so to speak) — YOUR FOOT!

The good thing about this is that it frees your left hand up to do many things.

==> For example, you can play chords on your left and solo with scales, modes, and “licks” on your right hand.

==> You can play a huge chord by starting it on your left and ending it on your right.

==> You can take what you are playing on your right hand and play a variation of it on the left hand making your chord sound full!

==> You can play the same “lick” on your left and right hands while walking the bass on your foot.

… and the list goes on.

So on that note, I want to give you some of the same chord progressions you’ll be learning in GospelKeys 450 – Worship Chords & Voicings!” I warn you… the chords taught in 450 aren’t for the pure beginner.

Note: You will hear a piano sound on the midi files that accompany these written examples. However, these chords sound best when played on the organ with a foot pedal, left hand, and right hand (exactly as shown).

*With a program like Van Basco’s Karaoke ( http://www.vanbasco.com ), you can load these midi file examples and it will show you exactly what notes are being played.

Example Chord Progression #3

Now, we’ll change things up a little bit and learn examples of the “7-3-6″ progression. In GospelKeys 450, you’ll learn how to apply these progressions in real-life songs. For now, I’ll introduce them just so that you can get an idea of how chords are voiced on the organ.

Similar to the 2-5-1 progression, the numbers come from the major scale that you’re playing in.

In our case, it’s Db major:

Db Eb F Gb Ab Bb C Db

Db = 1

Eb = 2

F = 3

Gb = 4

Ab = 5

Bb = 6

C = 7

Db = 8 (or basically “1″ again).

So in the key of Db major, a 7-3-6 progression would be some kind of C chord going to an F chord… then resting on a Bb chord. Let’s check out an example:

*With a program like Van Basco’s Karaoke ( http://www.vanbasco.com ), you can load these midi file examples and it will show you exactly what notes are being played.

Example Chord Progression #5

My last example has the same purpose as the previous two progressions (…that is, to get you to the 6th degree of the scale). However, instead of using conventional ways to get there like the 7-3-6, it uses the #4 and #5 (”sharped fourth and sharped fifth”) to get to the 6th degree.

I hope you enjoyed these worship chord voicings for the organ. As you can see, these aren’t basic chords and may take some time to get used to. However, once you learn the secrets to how these fancy worship chords are constructed, you’re playing will never be the same.

If you were intrigued by the lesson above, I invite you to check out http://www.hearandplay.com/organ for more information on GospelKeys 350 and GospelKeys 450.

Hi, I'm Jermaine Griggs, founder of this site. We teach people how to express themselves through the language of music. Just as you talk and listen freely, music can be enjoyed and played in the same way... if you know the rules of the "language!" I started this site at 17 years old in August 2000 and more than a decade later, we've helped literally millions of musicians along the way. Enjoy!

More great information for those keen to learn how to play the organ.With the organ progressions available to learn at hearandplay.com and the legendary founder Germaine Griggs who,s various courses i recommend as second to non.

I would like to get my free organ and piano lessons online, and I am sick and tired of having problems getting in the lesson. This is a bumber. Will you please help me. I do not want to download. Thank you very much.

I found your website when I was trying different key words to see which ones worked best to get to my website ‘albertsoft.com’. I am a software developer and my products are both mathematical and piano organ chord reference. You may find the chord program interesting as it gives 276 left hand chord fingering with 2 mouse clicks as well as the root & 1st & 2nd inversions plus note analyzing to find the names of chords. This software might work well with your lessons since they can create and save chord progressions you show and it will help learn the songs. To see a picture of the chord software plus a free chord reference for C
search the web using Yahoo and type ‘piano organ chord reference’ or just go to my site directly and click on the piano organ link.
If you like I will send you a free copy of the software. If you feel it is of interest I would share some of the profits with you if you can help me sell it.
I am glad that you like church organ music which is what I play. I have a Hammond B3 organ and 10 keyboards that have great pipe organ sounds.
May the Lord bless you!
Rod alberts

I believe it takes training that becomes a habit with a bit of practice. The brain can develop quickly to take in new things. If you practice anything for the length of 1 month it is considered to be a habit. The keyword here is practice!

i really like this website but can u pls throw more lights on chords, major and minor chords. also i wud love it if use tonic solfas; d,r,m,f,s,l,t,d. instead of c,d,e,f,g,a,b,,c.
THANK YOU AND MAY THE LORD BLESS U.

An invitation to everyone to Join the Voice of the Nation Mass Choir (VoNaMac) online. This mass choir is calling on all Lovers of Christians’ music, Musicians or Artists, people of God and other Musical groups to promote The worship of God by supporting this group Financially, prayerfully or what ever way you can help. If you are moved to be apart (member) of this group or to support this mass choir. Please find us on Facebook and post your mind on our group page (Voice of the Nation Mass Choir- VoNaMac). GOD BLESS YOU IN ABUNDANT. Remember that helping God’s people is like building a treasure in heaven

I really want to be playing like a professional, i musically talented but i have not be trained to play like professionals. How can i get this (rudiments of chord playing or basic music training) without it interfering with my job as an IT technican.

Hi! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this website?
I’m getting tired of Wordpress because I’ve had problems with
hackers and I’m looking at options for another platform.
I would be great if you could point me in the direction of
a good platform.

An invitation to everyone to Join the Voice of the Nation Mass Choir (VoNaMac) online. This mass choir is calling on all Lovers of Christians’ music, Musicians or Artists, people of God and other Musical groups to promote The worship of God by supporting this group Financially, prayerfully or what ever way you can help. If you are moved to be apart (member) of this group or to support this mass choir. Please find us on Facebook and post your mind on our group page (Voice of the Nation Mass Choir- VoNaMac). GOD BLESS YOU IN ABUNDANT. Remember that helping God’s people is like building a treasure in heaven

Come and be a part
An invitation to everyone to Join the Voice of the Nation Mass Choir (VoNaMac) online. This mass choir is calling on all Lovers of Christians’ music, Musicians or Artists, people of God and other Musical groups to promote The worship of God by supporting this group Financially, prayerfully or what ever way you can help. If you are moved to be apart (member) of this group or to support this mass choir. Please find us on Facebook and post your mind on our group page (Voice of the Nation Mass Choir- VoNaMac). GOD BLESS YOU IN ABUNDANT. Remember that helping God’s people is like building a treasure in heaven

Am much grateful for your efforts on how the instruments are been handle with in terms of chords but it will be a pleasure for me If you guys can give us more tution on how c d e f g a b and c are been arranged on every major key in other to be more easy for us…eg. we have F G A Bb C D E and F as in key major F….I want to know exactly these in the rest of the major keys..thank u and god bless yu